Picks for the EPL 2014-15

At the Top

Last time Manchester City set about defending their title they disappointingly allowed the competition from just outside the city win comfortable.  This year with Aguero being healthy it’s hard to see them not banging in another 100 goals.

Arsenal have made moves.  Aaron Ramsey is at full strength and is the key to them maintaining a good showing through the year.  New signings are about speed and flair – but do they have the grit to win the big games? They’ll probably lose to Liverpool, Manchester teams but will pick off more than most against the lower teams.  Arsene keeps his job for one more year.

Everyone’s favorite and my second favorite… team to hate.  If Schurrle leaves I think they’re done.  Fabregas is not as good as Mata so its hard to see how Mourinho will work him into the team.  Will he repeat his old Arsenal form?  Well he was also too slow off the ball for me so I don’t see the impact like others do.  Chelsea are still too good to fall.

Liverpool without Suarez.  It’s hard to know what to think – Sturridge will be a real break out, Sterling will improve and Brendan Rogers has built some depth… they can’t keep Gerrard too long – send him to a team he can help not hinder.   Enough pieces to finish high but could surprise as again by making a title run.  Would that be a surprise?

Manchester United are relying on another old seasoned manager with a young Giggsy in-waiting.  The turtle, LVG, already throwing his weight around and I’m unsure how that will work with the likes of Rooney who has enough poundage to shove back.  If they’re still playing Cleverly it’s hard to see them doing much… and with the wingback system it’s asking a lot of a few.. can they maintain that for the entire season?

Spurs made the best off season move of all. Pochettino is one of the best managers in the country- I love how he defends the deep free kicks and he likes to play the classic game.  Has a lot of talent at Spurs but a lot of dead weight.. can they pull themselves higher up the table?  Hard to know.

At the Bottom

The table is a right old mess of junk and pieces that we can be sure about.  Crystal Palace are favored my many to go down with no manager but then the have the big Scot Malky ready to step up.    Could be a good race to the bottom and an exciting finish like last year.

West Ham – I just don’t like West Ham.  They are newly promoted and have the most overrated brown paper bag collector of all time in Big Sam.

Aston Villa – in Kieran Richardson, Joe Cole.  Enough said.  I know QPR have Rio Ferdinand.. but the Villains have to run out of luck.

Leicester – not good enough.  Leicester are a small team and should be playing other small teams… like Burnley and Hull… oh wait… erm Watford, then.

#	Team
1	Manchester  City
2	Arsenal
3	Chelsea
4	Liverpool
5	Manchester United
6	Tottenham Hotspur
7	Everton
8	Newcastle United
9	Swansea City
10	Sunderland
11	Burnley
12	Stoke City
13	Hull City
14	West Bromwich Albion
15	Crystal Palace
16	Southampton
17	Queens Park Rangers
18	West Ham United
19	Aston Villa
20	Leicester City